Curtis Jones told he is 'big time' after brutal treatment of Barnsley star before FA Cup tie

Liverpool faces off against League One side Barnsley on Monday night in the FA Cup with two former Reds youngsters set to line up for the visitors at Anfield

Curtis Jones in action for the Reds(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Former Liverpool youngster Adam Phillips is eager to get one over former schoolmate Curtis Jones with Barnsley in the FA Cup.

Arne Slot's men will be looking to avoid an upset in the third round when League One side Barnsley travels to Anfield on Monday. The Reds boss is likely to give opportunities to the likes of Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa after a hectic festive fixture schedule.

It remains to be seen if Jones will be involved but Phillips has a bone to pick with the Reds star. The Barnsley midfielder progressed through Liverpool's academy ranks but never made a competitive senior appearance before leaving in 2017.

Asked which Liverpool shirt he would be looking to swap, Phillips told BBC Sport : “I went to the same school as Curtis Jones, although he’s a bit younger, so potentially his or Van Dijk’s shirt would be class.

“But Curtis unfollowed me on Instagram so he must think he’s big time now. Trent [Alexander-Arnold] still follows me and responds but I’ll have to have a word with Curtis on the pitch!

"We'll give it our best shot and see what happens. There's no point turning up if you don't believe".

Phillips did join Liverpool's pre-season tour under Brendan Rodgers as a teenager, adding: "I was 16 when I went to America with the first team for a pre-season tour in 2014 and I got subbed on for Coutinho in one of the games. It was surreal.

"I'd just left school and was training with Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez and Coutinho."

Former Liverpool midfielder Adam Phillips is set to go up against his boyhood club on Monday(Image: Getty Images)

His teammate Vimal Yoganathan was also in Liverpool's academy as a youngster and was the ballboy for Divock Origi's famous winner in the Merseyside derby in 2019 after an almighty clanger from Jordan Pickford.

He is also relishing the opportunity to test himself against the Premier League champions at Anfield.

“It was tough [getting released],” says Yoganathan. “Any lad who’s been released from a football club knows it’s one of the most devastating experiences, but it’s helped me overcome challenges.

"I remember seeing the draw and thinking 'what the hell', because I've had crazy luck with the draws. People dream about stepping out at Anfield. I was a ball boy there when I was young so it'll be a memorable experience."

Barnsley currently sits 17th in League One but has history in the competition at Anfield. The Tykes stunned Liverpool in 2008 when Rafael Benitez was in charge in the fifth round.

Dirk Kuyt had opened the scoring for Liverpool but Steve Foster equalized before a last-gasp winner from Brian Howard. The likes of Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard featured for the home side.